Belichick: No Decision Made On Gronkowski’s Status, Despite Gronk’s Optimism

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FOXBORO (CBS) — On Monday, tight end Rob Gronkowski excitedly told the world that he will be suiting up on Sunday and playing against the Miami Dolphins.

On Tuesday, head coach Bill Belichick applied firm pressure to the brakes.

Belichick spoke to the media and said that while it’s a good thing for Gronkowski to be so optimistic, the team has not yet made a decision on his playing status.

“Well, I’m glad that Rob is optimistic about his situation. We’ll go through the week of practice and take a look at everything and see where everybody is at and do what we feel like is best for the team,” Belichick said. “With all due respect to Rob, I’m glad he feels the way he does, but in the end, we’ll have to make the decision that we feel is best for the team, and we’ll do that as we go through the week.”

Gronkowski, 25, suffered a torn ACL and MCL last December after getting hit by T.J. Ward of the Browns. He only took limited contact throughout training camp and he did not play at all in any of the team’s four games. Yet the tight end broke the news on Monday that he’d be returning to game action this week.

“I’m good to go. I’ll be playing,” Gronkowski said. “Super excited. … It’s going to be an honor to be back out there with my teammates, so I’m super pumped, super excited and I’m just preparing for the game.”

Now in addition to Gronkowski’s spirits, the brakes have been “super pumped,” with Belichick putting Gronkowski’s playing status in question. Is it a smokescreen from Belichick to try to affect the Dolphins’ game plan, or is Gronk’s status actually questionable just days before the season kicks off? We’ll all find out together on Sunday afternoon.